Summary
The ETH AI Center offers a prestigious doctoral fellowship program at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, designed for highly motivated students passionate about interdisciplinary AI research. This program fosters collaboration across various fields, aiming to develop trustworthy, accessible, and inclusive AI systems that make a positive societal impact. Fellows will work with two PIs from different disciplines, conduct their own research projects, and benefit from excellent employment conditions and career development opportunities.
Designation
Doctoral Fellow (PhD Student)
Table: Scholarship Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Positions | 8 to 12 positions available annually |
| Start Date | Flexible, usually in September |
| Salary (Year 1) | CHF 73,100 (approx. $80,000 USD) |
| Salary (Year 2) | CHF 78,300 (approx. $85,000 USD) |
| Salary (Year 3) | CHF 83,500 (approx. $91,000 USD) |
| Mentorship | Co-mentorship by two excellent PIs from different fields |
| Training | Training and continuing education activities |
| Support | Services and offerings to support work and family life |
| Career Path | Optional entrepreneurial or industry track for practical impact |
Research Area
The fellowship program focuses on advancing interdisciplinary AI research, spanning AI foundations and application areas. Candidates are encouraged to propose projects that connect two distinct fields. Interest areas include, but are not limited to:
AI Foundations:
- Mathematical or statistical foundations of ML, AI, and Data Science
- AI System Design, Engineering & Hardware
- Agentic AI & Automation
- Human-AI Collaboration
- Computer Vision & Machine Perception
- Trustworthy AI Systems
- Security & Privacy
- LLMs and Natural Language Understanding
- Reinforcement Learning and Data-driven Control
- Safety, Reliability, and Robustness
- AI Edge and Networked Computing
AI Application Areas:
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration on Foundations of Data Science
- AI for Quantum Computing
- AI for Medicine & Life Sciences
- AI for Education
- AI for Earth Sciences, Climate Modeling & Environment
- AI for Energy Systems
- AI for Finance & Economics
- AI for Industrial & Manufacturing
- AI for Space Research & Exploration
- AI for Robotics & Autonomous Systems
- AI for Augmented Reality & Human-Centered AI
Location
ETH AI Center, ETH Zurich, Andreasstrasse 5 OAT X11, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
Eligibility/Qualification
- Master’s Degree: Completion of a Master’s degree in computer science, machine learning, statistics, physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or other relevant fields, at least 3 months before the beginning of the fellowship program (latest by June 2027).
- Academic Track Record: Excellent academic track record.
- Admission Requirements: Must meet the general admission requirements for a doctorate at ETH Zurich (details available on the ETH Zurich doctorate website).
- English Proficiency: Sufficient level of English to discuss research topics and report findings.
- Interdisciplinary Interest: Eagerness to work in an interdisciplinary team.
Scholarship Description
The ETH AI Center Doctoral Fellowship is a premier PhD program in Europe, fostering cutting-edge interdisciplinary AI research. Fellows will pursue their own proposed research projects under the co-supervision of two principal investigators (PIs) from different fields and often different departments. The program emphasizes impactful research, offering opportunities for exchange with other teams, participation in faculty retreats and symposia, and career development through optional entrepreneurial or industry tracks. Fellows will have their primary office at the ETH AI Center and benefit from transparent salaries, training, and support for work-life balance.
How to Apply
Applications are exclusively accepted through the official online application portal. Before applying, candidates are strongly advised to:
- Read the official guidelines for the ETH AI Center Doctoral Fellowship (PDF, 100 KB), available for download from the source website.
- Visit the FAQs section on the source website for additional information.
- Prepare their application, including preferences for specific mentors and selection of interest areas in AI foundations and application areas.
Applications submitted via email or postal services will not be considered.
Last Date for Apply
Tuesday, 27 October 2026 (16:00 CET)
Apply Link
Please refer to the official ETH AI Center website for the direct application portal link. The source content indicates that applications are exclusively accepted through their online application portal, which can be found on the official program page.
